Panthers’ Greg Little on lessons from injury-riddled rookie year, addition of Russell Okung
Greg Little had a quick response when asked what his goals are for this season.
“To stay healthy.”
That’s an understandable answer from the second-year player. Things didn’t exactly go his way throughout his rookie season.
After trading up to draft the Ole Miss left tackle in the second-round of the 2019 NFL draft, long-term expectations were immediately high for Little.
“We had a chance to get a guy at a premier position that can come in and compete for playing time immediately,” said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney after the selection. “And we think he has all the skills to be our starting left tackle for a long time.”
But in 2019 Little played in four games, starting three. He suffered two concussions and eventually was placed on injured reserve to end his rookie season with an ankle injury. In March the Panthers traded guard Trai Turner to the Chargers in exchange for left tackle Russell Okung.
After an injury-riddled first season, Little is now learning behind the Pro Bowler, a departure from where things stood a year ago before Little had his first concussion in the team’s preseason game vs. New England.
But Little, 22, is embracing the opportunity to learn from Okung.
“I was pretty happy, because Russell’s a great guy, a great player. And I know he’s here to help me out and help me become a pro,” Little said told The Observer of his reaction to the trade. “He’s been doing that ever since he’s been here, just little things on and off the field, how to be a better pro in so many different ways. I’m blessed to have him here.”
So far that approach is paying off.
“We just think Greg is going to be a fantastic tackle in time,” Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said of Little last week. “He’s developing and working. I’m really, really pleased with Greg Little and what he’s doing.”
Little started Panthers’ training camp this year on the active/physically unable to perform list with a knee injury, but was quickly able to pass his physical. He’s now healthy and participating in practice, describing himself as “good to go.”
It’s never ideal when someone comes in and takes your job or fills your spot. Just because it’s common in the NFL doesn’t make it easier to process.
Little says he has learned from last year and he felt more comfortable coming into this year’s camp because he knows more of what to expect. He also put in some work over the last few months.
He spent the offseason developing in more ways than one. Little bought a house in the Dallas area, where he’s from — “I love my mom to death... (but) it was time to pull that trigger” — and he also worked on his body. Due to COVID-19 some creativity was needed in finding places to work out, but he made it work with a couple of friends from his hometown and focused on getting stronger from upper to lower body.
Staying healthy was last year’s biggest issue for Little. The Panthers were cautious about how quickly he returned from his second concussion, suffered about a month after his first. But then, just two games into being back on the field in November, Little injured his ankle in New Orleans.
But he’s taking things from that experience to use this season to achieve that allusive goal.
“Really just body maintenance and being consistent with it. You can’t just start off, taking care of your body as the season goes on kind of trickle off,” Little says “You got to be consistent. Come in, get treatment from the trainers and just stay on your body.”
Even if he does stay healthy, Little won’t be seeing the field much this season, if things go according to plan. Okung, 31, suffered a pulmonary embolism from blood clots last June and contemplated opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but chose to play. And the Panthers brought him in for a reason.
When exactly the starting left tackle spot will or could be Little’s job is unclear for now. Okung is on the last year of his deal and is due over $13 million this season. Little has been getting some extra opportunities in camp as Okung has been dealing with some lower-back tightness.
One of the areas Little is specifically working on with offensive line coach Pat Meyer is his hand placement, something that he has struggled with since high school.
A successful season for the left tackle may not be seen on the field itself. For now, the priority is learning and being as available as possible.
“I see Greg, he’s a extremely talented young player, and like things were done to me when I was a younger player, veterans really took me under their wing, supported me and showed me how to play the game,” Okung said of Little this month. “I want to pay that forward with Greg. I think he has a really good opportunity to be successful into the future.”
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Panthers’ Greg Little on lessons from injury-riddled rookie year, addition of Russell Okung."
